Lol, this is possibly the longest chapter ever!

Chapter 3

On Saturday, with all her errands ran and her credit card spent, Jenny found herself in the same position she was in the previous night; curled on the couch with a bottle of wine for comfort. As she gazed down into the blood red liquid in her first glass, she suddenly found herself marveling at her own pitifulness. Five years ago, albeit before she joined the ARC, she had an enviable social life; expensive dinners, elegant functions, wild nights on the town with her many friends. She knew that when you got married and had a child, it was inevitable that things were to change in that respect, but this was bordering on pathetic! She was barely thirty three years old for goodness sake, and there she was, staying home on a free weekend alone like a fifty year old! She might not be with Nick anymore, but that was no reason to let her life slip her by in a blur.

Her mind made up, she leaned forward and picked up the phone, dialing Abby's number.

"Hello?" Abby's voice said politely.

"Hi, it's Jenny," she said, rather breathlessly. Now that she heard her voice, she had second thoughts - it was five o'clock on a Saturday evening; surely Abby would have plans already.

"Hiya!" Abby said eagerly, her tone sounding surprised. "I haven't heard off you in ages!"

"I know, I'm sorry," Jenny said, feeling a twang of guilt. "I've been so busy."

"How's Ben?"

"He's great thanks, Nick's got him for the weekend."

"So should I take it that you're free tonight then?" Abby asked, as usual displaying her impeccable astuteness.

"Yes . . ."

"So, do you fancy meeting up then?" she pushed.

"I could be persuaded," Jenny smiled, reclining back on the couch.

Abby perched on a bar stool on a table near the corner, Sarah beside her. Happily, she took a sip of her cocktail, letting the tangy flavour roll around her tongue. It was great to be out, she thought to herself, especially with Jenny and Sarah. Since leaving the ARC a year ago, it had become somewhat of a rarity for them all to get together for lack of time. Jenny was juggling single motherhood with working a full time job, Sarah was knee deep in ARC research for the most part, and Abby herself was busy with her senior position in the zoo. In fact, such was their separate lives now that Abby often found herself wishing for another anomaly to open to pull them all back together again. Of course, that was incredibly selfish, and every time she thought it, she felt ashamed - people were safe now; safe from past and future creatures, and for her to wish any different was terrible. Still, Abby couldn't deny that she longed for the days they worked together, not just for the company, but for the sheer thrill of the job. It was true that working at the zoo was rewarding for her; that is why she left the ARC in the first place. There was no longer any creatures for her to give her expertise on, and as research was lost on her, the only sensible option was to revisit her previous career path. Still, scooping up elephant dung every day hardly compared to chasing prehistoric creatures around London.

"How did she sound?" Sarah asked, dragging Abby's thoughts away from the ARC.

"Who?"

"Jenny?"

"She sounded just like Jenny," Abby answered, completely nonplus.

"No, I mean did she sound upset? Angry?" Sarah probed, stroking the steam of her wine glass, looking absorbed in deep thought.

"No, she just sounded normal, why?"

Sarah shrugged slightly, looking troubled about something, and Abby was fairly certain she knew what it was about. Sarah still worked with Cutter everyday, and so their separation would most likely have occupied her thoughts more.

"It's been six months," Abby reasoned, leaning forwards. "I think she's probably past the stage were she's dissolving into tears every five seconds."

"Yes, but that also means that the window of opportunity for her and Cutter getting back together has probably past as well," Sarah pointed out glumly.

"Give them more time, they'll figure it out," Abby sighed, patting her hand in comfort.

"Really?" Sarah said, her eyebrow raised in doubtfulness. "Mr and Mrs Stubborn?"

Abby hesitated for a moment, seeing her point. Jenny and Cutter were certainly the most obstinate people she'd ever met. Abby could tell by the rare times she had seen them together in the past six months, and by the way Jenny still spoke about him that they were both still head-over-heels in love with each other, but they were both too bloody proud to do anything about it. Still, she had no idea what had happened between the two of them; both had kept completely mum on the subject and Abby couldn't fathom what it was that had split them up. It was like one day they were the perfect family, and then the next Cutter was moving back into his old house that he had been renting out, and Jenny was completely numb. Abby and Connor had discussed it at great lengths, but neither of them could piece together the full picture; the only thing that made sense was that Cutter had cheated on her, but it seemed highly unlikely - he just wasn't that type of man, and besides, Jenny was gorgeous. Why would he ever do that? But something had defiantly happened, as happy couples with a child didn't just wake up one morning and decide that it wasn't working. And from the humility that Cutter seemed to bare, it appeared that whatever had occurred had been his fault. Still, surely it couldn't have been so bad that there was no possibility of a reconciliation?

"Maybe we could help them out a bit?" Abby said slowly, voicing her thought aloud.

"By doing what?" Sarah asked suspiciously.

"I don't know, you're the PhD, can't you think of anything?"

"Sorry, I must have missed the lecture on marriage counseling," Sarah answered sarcastically.

"Maybe . . ." Abby began, thinking hard.

"What?"

"Maybe we could pretend to set them both up on a blind date in the same place? Then they'd have to talk."

Sarah snorted. "You've been spending too much time with Connor! They'd figure that out, and if it all goes sideways, we'll get the blame."

"Or," Abby continued. "I could set Jenny up with someone . . . and you could 'accidently' tell Cutter about it."

"What would that achieve, except hurting Cutter?"

"It might light a fire under his backside," Abby pointed out, taking another sip of her drink.

"And what if Jenny actually falls for this mystery man, hmm?"

"She won't, not while she's still in love with Cutter," Abby said confidently.

"Then what makes you think she'll agree to this in the first place?" Sarah asked skeptically.

"Watch and learn, my friend, watch and learn," Abby winked at her as she spotted Jenny coming in the door.

Jenny saw both Abby and Sarah over in the corner, and smiled at them as she approached, feeling her fondness for both of them flow through her. It had been much too long since they had met up last, and Jenny vowed to herself that she would make more of an effort in the future; friends that had willingly risked their lives for her on many occasions were definitely worth holding on to. They exchanged the pleasantries, and Jenny got a round of cocktails in, determined to catch up on how many they had drank in her lateness.

For a while they kept the conversation light and cheerful, all wanting to know what the others had been doing since they had last met. Jenny could have willingly kept things like that all night, but as she knew, the touchy subject was bound to creep into conversation eventually.

"So what's Ben been up to?" Abby asked cheerfully. "Last time I saw him, he was reciting the alphabet backwards."

"Yes, he's a strange child," Jenny laughed as Sarah chuckled next to her. "He's so clever though. The other day, he asked me what a colour was. It blew my mind."

"What did you say?"

"I just gave examples like red and yellow," Jenny grimaced. "And he looked up at me like I was stupid and said 'no mummy, they are colours.' How on earth do you describe what a colour is?"

"A shade of . . ." Sarah began thoughtfully, before giving up and shaking her head. "I haven't a clue!"

"He's too clever for his own good," Jenny continued, feeling a rush of pride towards her son. "I swear, he makes me feel like an idiot sometimes."

"Well that's what you get for reproducing with a Professor - " Sarah pointed out, before stopping talking abruptly and looking down at the table.

Jenny felt her stomach twist uncomfortably as the conversation came dangerously close to Nick. Sarah and Abby both exchanged a awkward look, and shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"Sorry," Sarah mumbled.

"It's alright," Jenny replied, a little shorter than she intended.

There was an extremely uncomfortable silence for a few moments.

"Jenny, what happened between the two of you?" Abby asked sheepishly.

Jenny felt a familiar sinking feeling rush through her. It wasn't the first time they'd asked that question, but each time she hadn't told them, and only mumbled something about it not working out. She didn't want anyone to know, partially due to the crushing humiliation, but mainly because she was still so utterly confused about everything herself, and she couldn't bare the thought of having to explain the complicated situation to anyone.

"Nothing," she lied, tucking her hair behind her ears.

"But you were both so in love - ouch!" Abby exclaimed; Sarah had clearly kicked her under the table.

"It was just . . ." Jenny began slowly, gaging how much to say. "Things just happen," she finished lamely.

"How are you doing?" Abby asked, sounding concerned. "Are you coping alright?"

"Yes," Jenny lied. "I'm fine. It's been - well it's been hard, explaining everything to Ben, but I think we're in a pretty good routine now."

"No, how are you doing?" she asked again, putting particular emphasis on the word 'you'.

"Fine," Jenny repeated , flicking her fringe out of her eyes.

"Are you - are you certain it's over?" Sarah asked tentatively.

"Yes," Jenny replied a little too quickly for it to be believable, desperate to shake off the interrogation.

"Then, are you thinking about enjoying your single life again?" Abby probed, raising her eyebrow questioningly.

That question threw Jenny for a second - why on earth would she be asking that?

"I doubt I'll ever have the time for things like that," she stated eventually, taking a sip of her cocktail.

"But what about sex?" Abby asked out of the blue, making Jenny choke on her drink.

Coughing, Jenny put down her glass and looked up at her in disbelief. "What about it?" she gasped.

"Well don't you miss it?" Abby demanded, her expression remaining innocent.

"No," Jenny answered, rather untruthfully. "It's been - it's only been - "

"Six months?" Abby suggested with a rye smile. "Any more and you'll have to check yourself into a nunnery . . ."

"And what would you have me do?" Jenny asked, still in shock that they were having this conversation. "Walk the streets in a corset and see who'll have me?"

"Not exactly," Abby said slowly, pausing to take a sip of her drink. "I think you should start dating again."

"No," Jenny answered immediately.

"Why not?" Sarah asked.

"Because . . ." Jenny began, struggling to come up with a reason. "I have a baby, and a . . ."

"And a Cutter?" Sarah finished her sentence for her.

Jenny gave her a withering look, but didn't reply - she was right after all.

"What would be the harm of having one little date, hmm?" Abby pushed. "What's that phrase? When you fall off the horse, you've got to get back on the saddle - "

"Are you actually saying these words?" Jenny gapped, feeling herself blush.

"Oh, it's just a bit of girl talk," Sarah waved her hand airily.

"Why are you two so concerned with my sex life anyway?" Jenny asked suspiciously.

"We're not!" they both said in unison, making Jenny feel even more confused.

"So why all the questions?" she asked, looking between them both.

"I just . . ." Abby began, not meeting her in the eye. "I just thought that, if you were ready to start dating again, there's someone I know who'd be perfect for you."

"No," Jenny repeated firmly.

Abby ignored her, and continued. "He's this guy who goes to my kick-boxing class - "

"No!"

"He's tall, dark and single," Abby said in a ringing tone.

"Am I speaking a foreign language or something?"

"And he's so good-looking that I literally have trouble concentrating sometimes," Abby finished triumphantly.

"Then you go out with him," Jenny suggested with a sweet smile, leaning back on her chair.

"What are you afraid of?" Abby asked, clearly trying a different tact. "Are you afraid that you would actually like him?"

"No - " Jenny insisted.

"Then I don't see the problem?" Abby stated with a smile.

"The problem is that I don't have time to go dining with hunky kick-boxing men," Jenny retorted, feeling her blood-pressure rise.

"What if I mind Ben for you next Friday?" Sarah suggested.

Jenny sighed deeply and put her finger and thumb on the bridge of her nose. "Can we please stop talking about my love life?"

"Absolutely. But can I tell him to call you?" Abby asked, her eyebrows raised in a pleading gesture.

"No!" Jenny repeated unwaveringly in a tone that clearly implied the conversation was over. "Now who wants another round?"

"Jenny - " Abby began.

"All of us then?" Jenny cut her off, getting to her feet and hurrying over to the bar.

Grumbling internally, Jenny relaxed her hands on the bar, feeling ambushed and slightly suffocated. Why were they so insistent that she started dating? From what she had gathered off them in the past six months, they were both incredibly eager to see her reunited with Nick. What had changed? Had Sarah found out that he'd had started dating again, and she wanted Jenny to find someone so she could move on too?

Sighing again, she ran her hand through her hair. No, surely he hadn't met somebody else? He wasn't like that. He wouldn't. It's not like he was that great with women anyway. Tapping her foot impatiently as she waited to be served, her mind wandered to the memory of when they got together, after months of dancing around each other. It happened, she remembered vividly, whilst they were investigating an anomaly in Torquay. Jenny, being the impeccable PR manager that she was, made damn sure that they were booked into the fanciest hotel she could find close by, and she, Abby, Cutter and Connor managed to find the anomaly and luckily, there were no incursions and the anomaly closed not long after they got there. However, this came with a heavy downside; there was no need for them to stay there in the tantalizingly luxurious hotel. A fact that Jenny soon rectified.

x x x

"James," Jenny said curtly down the phone. "Yes, the anomaly's gone . . ."

She glanced around at Abby and Connor who were staring back at her with bated breath. Cutter, however, looked uninterested, and sat moodily by the hotel window, gazing absently out into the beautiful grounds.

"Fantastic," Lester said, his voice seeped in the usual sarcasm, making it impossible for Jenny to fathom whether he was serious or not. "How soon can you get back then? I'm afraid that if you leave Captain Becker in charge for too long, he'll plan a military cue against me - "

"See James, the thing is . . ." Jenny began cautiously with another nervous glance at Connor and Abby, who gave her the thumbs up. "Cutter found some tracks leading away from the anomaly site - "

"Don't bring me into this!" Cutter barked over at her.

Jenny placed her hand over the mouth piece. "Shhhh!" she hissed at him, before continuing in a forced sweet voice to Lester. "And so - just to be on the safe side - maybe we should stay the night and investigate further?"

"Oh wonderful," he drawled, the frustration evident in his voice. "You know, it's very difficult to keep things going with most of my staff on holiday - "

"Well, it's better to be safe than sorry," Jenny reminded him. "Would you prefer it if we came back now, and had to return in a week when a trail of half-eaten tourists start drawing peoples attention?

Lester paused for a moment, seemingly torn between his reluctance to grant them permission to stay and his fear that her words might be a probability.

"Fine," he sighed eventually. "But I want you all back here as soon as possible tomorrow!"

"Of course James," she soothed, smiling up at Abby and Connor. "See you then . . . goodbye . . ."

She snapped the phone shut, beaming up at them. "He bought it!"

Connor and Abby whooped and high-fived each other. Cutter, however, scowled.

"What if another anomaly pops up whilst we're here slacking off?" he snapped.

"Will you relax!" Jenny sighed dramatically. "This is the first day off we've had in a month! Why don't you just stop sulking and try and enjoy it, hmm?"

Early afternoon found Jenny and Abby reclined back on their sun loungers, both enjoying the intense noon sun. Jenny rarely tanned of course - her skin was too stubbornly pale and no amount of sun rays seemed to change that. However, a girl could dream. Maybe this was finally the day that she would get that tan she had craved all her life. That is why she had purchased the tiniest black bikini imaginable from the shop on the promenade. Well that and the fact that she was . . . how should she put it . . . curious. She was curious to see Cutter's reaction.

Speaking of the devil, a familiar nervous feeling fluttered in her stomach as she spotted him making his way out of the hotel. For a better look, she raised her sunglasses and surveyed him as he walked up to Connor who was sitting at the bar on the opposite side of the pool. Then, for a brief moment, she saw his gaze rest on her, and if she was not very much mistaken, he double took, looking surprised, although not unpleasantly so. However, a second later he was looking at Connor again, and chatting to him about something or another. Jenny felt disappointment burn in through her and with a sigh, she glanced around at Abby, noticing that she was watching her with a rather knowing smile.

"What?" Jenny asked defensively.

"Nothing," Abby said immediately, looking over at Cutter herself. "So . . ." she cleared her throat. "Checking out the local talent, are we?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jenny replied in an innocent tone, replacing her sunglasses on her nose and relaxing back more onto the lounger.

"Oh, I think you do," Abby continued in a ringing tone. "Blonde hair, blue eyes . . ."

"Okay, I get the picture," Jenny interjected, feeling herself blush. "But it doesn't matter anyway."

"Why?"

"Because I don't think he like's me in that way," Jenny replied in a low voice. "I mean, we laugh, and we flirt, but just when I think it's going somewhere, he just closes down. I have no idea what he wants from me."

"From the way he's looking at you now, I'd say I have a fair idea of what he wants from you," Abby grinned.

In spite of herself, Jenny's gaze was drawn back to Cutter, and with a niggle of excitement, she saw that he was looking at her again. For effect, she raised arms above her head and stretched, deliberately pushing out her chest and sucking her stomach in more. This time, she didn't lift up her sunglasses as she knew it would look too obvious, but she could tell, even through the tinted blackness, that he was still staring at her.

"Nice one," Abby chuckled from beside her. "I'll have to remember to use that one in the future."

It wasn't until the night time that Jenny had any time alone with Cutter. Whilst she was in the bar with Abby and Connor, crammed next to a group of loud and lairy Irish students, she spotted Cutter making his way through the throng of partying guests and leaving through the door that eventually lead back to the closed pool.

"I'll be back in a minute," she shouted to Abby over the loud music.

She followed him out into the darkness, walking down the path that lead to the pool as there was not many other places he could have gone. Sure enough, after rounding a clump of bushes, she spotted him standing next to the pool, his eyes staring out distantly at the water as though he was absorbed in deep thought.

"Penny for them Cutter?" she said softly as she reached him, rubbing her bare arms slightly against the chilly wind.

"Oh, I don't think they're worth that much," he smiled, staring out into the still pool.

"I'm a good tipper," she said with a grin.

He looked round at her, his eyes as usual making her feel like she was being examined inside out.

"I like it out here," he stated simply. "It's quiet."

"Do you want me to leave you alone?" she asked, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"Oh that I had that power," he said, although by the way he smiled, she was sure he was joking."Nice bikini today by the way."

She glanced around at him and rolled her eyes, although she felt the flow of anticipation travel through her body. "Have a nice look did you?" she asked in the most flippant tone she could muster.

"Of course," he answered with a slight smile. "I am human after all."

"Go one then," she sighed. "Make some catty comment. We both know you want to."

"Actually, I think you looked beautiful," he said, taking her by surprise. "You always do."

He smiled at her and she flushed heavily.

"Can you swim?" he asked conversationally, as though he hadn't just complimented her.

"Yes, I took lessons after that future shark incident," she answered absently, looking back out into the water. "I thought it'd be prudent."

"Hmm," Cutter nodded. "So, will you let me know what the temperature's like?"

"What?" Jenny asked, her head snapping around to him. It was only a split second before it happened that, to her horror, she realised what he was about to do. "No, Cutter - !"

In slow motion it seemed, she felt his hands push her so that she staggered backwards, her heel slipping on the side of the pool. As a reflex, she reached out and grabbed his arm, dragging him with her. With a loud splash, they both hit the freezing water hard, entangled in a mass of limbs. The force of the impact sent them both straight to the bottom, and panicking, Jenny kicked out, eventually breaking the surface of the water with a deep gasp. Cutter surfaced a split second after her, smoothing his hair back and roaring with laughter.

"You!" Jenny screamed, shaking in shock and pushing her soaked hair out of her face. "Why - why would you - ?"

"Oh relax . . . stop sulking . . . try and enjoy yourself . . ." he grinned, his eyes twinkling.

She narrowed her eyes, annoyed at her own words being used against her. With a defiant sharp movement, she splashed water into his smug face and laughed in satisfaction and he spluttered and floundered.

"I'll have you know that this dress cost more than you probably earn in a year!" she pointed out, still scandalized. "And if it's ruined, you're paying!"

"Oooh," Cutter mocked, pulling a face at her.

She scowled at him, furious beyond reason. That was until he swam closer to her, slowly closing the gap between them. All of a sudden, she couldn't breath. She couldn't think. He was closer to her than he really had any business being - he was close enough that she could feel his hot breath tickle her cheek. She looked from his bright eyes to his mouth and back again, wondering if he'd dare. It soon became obvious that he would, as he leaned in slowly, hesitantly, and caught her lips between his own. Jenny felt electricity surge through her body, and she quickly recovered from the shock and tilted her head to the side, parting her lips to allow the kiss to deepen. Under the water, she felt his hands slip round her waist, pulling her into him as he guided her to the pool edge so that they could lean against the side. They broke apart for a moment and looked at each other, panting heavily, before he launched at her again, kissing her roughly. She pressed herself still closer to him, one hand exploring his back underneath his saturated shirt and the other lost in his dripping wet hair. One of his hands was on her thigh, pushing up her dress, and the other desperately fumbling at his pants. His lips wondered down to her collar bone, planting warm wet kisses there, causing her to gasp and tilt her head back, all decorum forgotten in a haze of passion. His kisses moved up her neck, and she savoured each and every sensation he was evoking in her, and ignored the screaming protests in her head that any second, they could be discovered. Maybe if they would have been, things wouldn't have gone so far . . .

It was the next day back in the ARC that Jenny found herself feeling dirty. She shouldn't have slept with him; she could tell by the way he looked at her now that she had gone down in his estimations. And now he would either loose all interest, or think that he could just get it whenever he felt like it.

God, she was such an idiot! She had dropped her guard, and let herself get caught up in the stupid infatuation she had with him, and she'd done something she regretted. Well, not so much regretted, but certainly felt ashamed of. Then again, she thought to herself bitterly, why should she feel ashamed? Cutter certainly didn't seem to. And the feminist part of her brain hated the fact that it was the woman that was supposed to feel ashamed when the guy gets a bloody pat on the back. Still, societal pressure had left it's mark on her in that respect.

She buried her head in her hands, cringing inwardly. Now, she had no idea where she stood. She couldn't work out if he just wanted a quicky every now and then or if he wanted to make something more substantial out of it.

There was a knock on her door and she snapped her head up as Cutter marched in. She quickly tried to rearrange her expression into one of cool impassiveness whilst inside, her heart was bursting it's banks.

"Busy?" he asked her simply, not a hint of a reaction on his face.

"Extremely," she answered shortly, lowering her gaze to the stack of papers on her desk. "So if we could make this quick?"

As soon as those words were out of her mouth, she blushed, knowing that the sentence could be interpreted two ways, and one of them not so innocently.

He seemed unfazed, however, and continued as though nothing had been said."What are you doing tonight?" he asked casually.

And there it was, Jenny thought to herself. He wanted to see if she was free for another rendevous. Well, despite what he might think, and despite how she had acted previously, she was no whore.

"Cutter - " she began in a monotone voice, about to explain that she wasn't interested in a casual fling, but he cut her off.

"Because I was wondering - well, I was thinking that maybe, if you're not too busy, I could take you for . . . for dinner or something?" he stammered, looking down at her hopefully.

She blinked, unable to hide her surprise, and reclined back in her chair, flicking her pen against the table as she surveyed him. She let him wait for a few moments before she replied.

"So you don't cook then?"

The corners of his mouth twitched upwards. "No, I wouldn't subject you to that until at least the fifth date."

Involuntarily, she smiled back, unable to miss the subtle way he had dropped in the 'fifth date' comment. So maybe he did want to make something out of this after all.

"Okay," she agreed with a nod, trying to control her smile. "I suppose it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."

x x x

"What can I get you?" the barman's voice brought her out of her thoughts with a painful jolt.

"Um . . ." she stammered, her mind going completely blank. "Um, a pitcher of cosmopolitan please."

He nodded and busied himself making the drinks she'd requested. She waited, tapping a tuneless beat on the bar as she watched him, trying desperately not to let her thoughts stray to Nick again.

"And can I have a tequila as well please?" she added, the need to squash the bitter memories that had scarred her heart.

"Certainly," the barman smiled, pouring her one out on the bar, and continuing to mix the cocktails for her.

She knocked back the shot in one go, hoping that Abby and Sarah hadn't seen her, but at the same time not really caring. She shook her head slightly as the alcohol burned her mouth and throat as it went, for a second giving her a welcomed distraction. She slammed the glass back down on the bar and handed the rather bemused looking barman the money.

"You alright Miss?" he asked as he opened the till and cashed the money.

"I'm fine," she replied coldly, not willing to be drawn into a pointless conversation with a stranger.

"It's just that you look a little distracted," he continued, putting the finishing touches to the drinks.

"Distracted? Um, yeah, distracted is one way to put it," she said before she could contain herself. "Completely crushed is another."

"Oh, erm . . ." he stuttered, putting the finished pitcher on the bar, looking uncomfortable.

"Yeah, so maybe before you start enquiring into peoples personal lives, you should stop and think that maybe they don't want to talk about it," she ranted on, not knowing where the hell this was all coming from.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," the barman insisted, looking thoroughly ambushed.

"Sure you didn't," she snapped sarcastically, picking up the jug and stalking off back to her table.

It was only when she reached Abby and Sarah that she calmed down, her anger giving way to embarrassment.

"Oh god," she said shakily as she sank back into her chair, setting the pitcher down and rubbing her hand across her forehead.

"What?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Can we go somewhere else?" Jenny asked, feeling mortified.

"Why?" Abby laughed, gesturing to the large jug in front of her. "We've still got that to drink."

"I've just yelled at the barman," she confessed quietly, trying to keep her self out of the bar's view.

"What - why?" Sarah gapped, looking torn between amusement and disbelief.

"Well I don't know why do I? I must have had a stroke or something . . ." she breathed. "Please can we go somewhere else?"

"Okay, okay," Abby soothed, looking like she was suppressing a smile as she pulled her coat on and got to her feet. "There's this nice place down the street."

"And try not to shout at any strangers along the way," Sarah interjected in a wavering voice, sounding like she was trying to stop herself from laughing.

"Oh, the wit!" Jenny snapped sarcastically, pushing her gently in the back to get a move on.

As they walked down the street, Abby and Sarah still teasing her, she made a vow to herself. Things couldn't go on like this. She couldn't keep living in the past and letting her emotions burst out of her at inappropriate moments. She had to get a grip and stop examining every little detail of her relationship with Nick, or she was going to drive herself bonkers. She had a life, and it was time she started to heal and pull herself together.

Surely there was more to life than being Nick Cutter's wife?